Show t GEN PERSHING COMMENDS AID AID- RENDERED ARMY Post Exchanges Overseas Are Arc Taken Over by the Mill Mill- tary Authorities Asserting that th the valuable aid rendered ren ron i dered by the war service of the Y M. M C. C A. A had been a large factor in the final great acc accomplishments of ot the American army array General Pershing in ina ina a communication to E. E C. C Carter in charge of association operations with the American Expeditionary Forces v phys pays s a splendid tribute to the work which this agency accomplished under extreme difficulties and handicaps The Y M. M C. C A A. A served the army array betto bet bet- to tej than could ha have va been expected says General Pershing At Its ita own request the tho American TM Y T M M. C. C A. A has hal be been n relieved from maintaining maintaining main main- taming post exchanges with the Ex Expeditionary Ei- Ei forces overseas the need for tor such service ha haying baring Tin been relieved with the signing of the armistice Correspondence Correspondence Cor Con exchanged between General General Gen Oen- eral Pennine Pershing and E. E C. C Carter Car in charge e of ot the Y 1 M. M C. C A. A with the army resulted in this decision Carr Carr Car- Car r r wrote to General Pershing January as al follows tollow Dear General Pershing A year and a ft a half hait ago you requested reQuested requested re re- re- re quested the Y M. M C. C A. A to W undertake undertake undertake under under- take operations for tor post exchanges for tor th the tb American Expeditionary Forces In hi order that officers and enlisted men may not be taken away for tor that purpose from tram their paramount military functions function ot of training and fighting AB As soon lOOn aa as hostilities ceased wo wD raised with you the n whether hother time had not come coma for tor the tha theY theY Y M. M 0 O. A A. A to be relieved of ot the operation of ot post exchanges in view of the tAct fact that there was no longer the same pressing demand deman 1 on man power of ot the army for tor training and fighting When we first raised the question with ith you yot It did not appear to you that it WAS feasible in Ia the best belt Interests of ot maximum service to tte tle army that hat thata a change be made Now the st situation situation situ situ- u- u allon is IB materially altered Recent general or orders r from main headquarters and and requests from commanding officers have laid on the Y M. M C C. A. A increased r r in p promoting educational athletic and entertainment ties jI in the A American Expeditionary Force This ThU is placing a rapidly Increasing burden upon our ur personnel per per- Bonnel The Tho army Is la also now pr preparing pre pre- paring for tor the deU delivery ver of ot all supplies sup sup- plies for tor post exchanges v which to r heretofore have have- b been en Imported manufactured and delivered by tiT the the theY Y M M. C. C A. A In view of the changed situation I wish ish to know whether you do cia not not think it would be possible f for r the army at a very early d date te to o at- at p nIto to sume full fall responsibility for tor the Y yo maintenance of of post exchanges throughout the the American Force Z Very cordially yours Signed E E. p. p C CARTER ARTER General Pershing immediately acted upon the suggestion made ade by Cart Carter and relieved t th the Y M. M t M. C. C A. A of Its task tuk of ot maintaining the post ex exchanges He HeMy laid 44 My Dear Mr Carter I I. I have hayo received your our letter of ot January Januar asking whether in view of present changed situation It would b be possible for tor the army to assume full tull re responsibility for tor maintenance of ot post poet exchanges throughout American Ex Expedition Expedition- ary any Force As S you correctly state the Y M M. C C. A. A undertook the tho management ot of post exchanges at my request at ata at ata a time when It was ot of n greatest a et importance im ira that no soldier should be bo taken away from vital iti military functions of ot training and fighting Ao As S rea 6 s which lm polled me rae at that time to request you to undertake this work no longer lonter exieL I am ini glad to ov your Tour suggestion in reaching this conclusion Consideration rat on has baa be been given to new burdens burden in tion with entertainment athle athletic o activities and education that have assumed I have accordingly accordingly accord accord- given Kiven directions that army units themselves take over OTer and and operate their own post Olt exchanges In making this change permit me ne meto meto neto to thank you for tho the very valuable services and assi assistance tance which the th Y M. M C. C A. A has haa rendered render d to the tho American Expeditionary Force in In handling those these exchanges capped by br shortage ol ot and fond land rand transportation the tho ther Y T. M. M C C A. A has by extra exertion t the tl army better hotter than could have b bOn been expected and you may b be assured that its itc aid has haa been a large fac tor tor In the final great neat accomplish monte monts of the American army Very cordially yours Signed JOHN J. J PERSHING FIVE THE BIG Having subscribed for tor one and two And also three and nd four tour You wont won't wont refuse to add will viUl y you u The big fi five ve to your our store |